Smart speakers are a popular holiday gift, and they can be genuinely useful. Devices like the Amazon Echo, Google Nest and Apple HomePod let you talk to them to play music, set timers, check the weather, make calls and more, without touching a screen. If you’ve just unwrapped one, or are thinking of getting one, here’s how to set it up, what to try first, and how to keep your privacy and your wallet protected.
What a Smart Speaker Can Do
Play music, radio, podcasts and audiobooks
Answer questions like “What’s the weather today?” or “How many ounces are in a cup?”
Set timers, alarms and reminders, like “Remind me to take my medicine at 8 p.m.”
Call family and friends hands-free, once the device is linked to your contacts
Read the news, sports scores and your calendar
Control smart lights and plugs, if you have them
For many people, the best part is that it works by voice. If tiny buttons and small text are a problem, it can make daily tasks easier.
What You Need
Home Wi-Fi and its password
A smartphone or tablet to run the setup app
An account: an Amazon account for an Echo, a Google account for a Google Nest, or an Apple Account for a HomePod
How To Set It Up
Plug it in and wait for it to start up.
Download the companion app on your phone, from the App Store or Play Store: the Alexa app for Echo, the Google Home app for Nest, or the Home app for HomePod.
Open the app and follow the steps. It will find the speaker, ask you to connect it to your home Wi-Fi, and ask you to sign in.
Choose a spot. Somewhere central with a power outlet works best, like a kitchen counter or living room shelf.
Give it a name, like “Kitchen,” if you plan on having more than one.
Wake Words and First Things To Try
You activate the speaker by saying its wake word, such as “Alexa,” “Hey Google” or “Hey Siri.” Then ask. Try:
“What’s the weather today?”
“Set a timer for 15 minutes.”
“Remind me to call Maria at 3 p.m.”
“Play relaxing music.”
“Call [name].” (You’ll need to set up calling in the app first.)
Speak clearly at a normal pace. If it mishears you, try again or rephrase.
Keep It in Perspective
A smart speaker is a handy helper, but it is not a replacement for calling 911 or for a medical alert system. In an emergency, use your phone, and keep it within reach.
Protect Your Privacy
Use the microphone mute button. Most speakers have a button or switch that turns off the microphone, usually shown by a light. Use it when you want complete quiet.
Review and delete your voice history. In the Alexa app, look for Alexa Privacy and Review Voice History. For Google, check your account’s activity page. You can delete recordings, and you can often turn on automatic deletion.
Think about where you put it. Many people prefer common rooms like the kitchen or living room, rather than a bedroom or bathroom.
Set up your account properly, with a strong, unique password and two-step verification.
Keep your Wi-Fi secure, with a password that only your household knows.
Only turn on extra “skills” or add-ons that come from trusted companies.
Protect Your Wallet
Smart speakers can order products by voice, which is convenient, but it can also lead to mistakes, and to purchases by visitors or children.
Turn off voice purchasing, or require a confirmation code before an order goes through. In the Alexa app, look in your account settings for Voice Purchasing.
Check your orders and your payment settings in the app.
Remove saved payment methods if you don’t plan to use voice shopping.
Scams To Watch For
“Your Alexa (or Amazon) account has been compromised.” Calls or texts saying this are scams. Don’t call a number in the message, and don’t click links. Open the official app yourself.
Requests to pay with gift cards. Real companies never ask for this.
Fake “support” or order messages. Go to your account in the official app to check.
Anyone who asks for a verification code. Never read it to someone who contacts you.
If It Isn’t Working
Restart it by unplugging it for 30 seconds.
Check your Wi-Fi. If the internet is down, the speaker won’t work well.
Update the app and check that the speaker is online.
Check the microphone isn’t muted.
Move it away from walls, TVs and noisy appliances.
If you’d like someone beside you while you set up your speaker and its privacy settings, a Kendera Global session can walk through it with you, step by step.
